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  • New report: Government budget allocations for defence- R&D 2006–2026

    In recent years, defence has emerged as a government priority, with historically large investments being made. A new report from Statistics Sweden examines the consequences this has had for defence-related research and development (R&D), analysing developments in the field over the period 2006–2026. Over time, both the defence budget and associated R&D funding have undergone significant changes. Much of this shift is driven by direct research appropriations to the defence sector and funding allocated to the Swedish Defence Research Agency (FOI). More recently, R&D funding for civil defence has also increased substantially. Sweden stands out for allocating a larger share of public funds to defence compared with both its Nordic neighbours and the EU as a whole.

  • Smaller increase in the appropriations for R&D – but focus on defence in the government budget 2026

    Preliminary figures indicate that the government budget allocations for research and development (GBARD) in 2026 amount to SEK 49.3 billion. This corresponds to an increase of 1.1 percent, or SEK 522 million, compared to the budget for 2025. However, as a share of the total government budget, R&D appropriations decrease by 0.19 percentage points to 3.2 percent. Education and academic research is the expenditure area that receives the most R&D appropriations. In relative terms, the largest increase is within the defence-related expenditure area and objective. Changes to the rules concerning eligibility and reduced appropriations for The Industrial Leap (Industriklivet) reduces the total appropriations.

  • Increased focus on defence in the government budget allocations for R&D in 2024

    The government budget allocations for research and development (GBARD) were SEK 46.5 billion in 2024, including appropriations from supplementary budgets. This corresponds to an increase of 0.7 percent, or SEK 319 million, since 2023 in fixed prices. As a share of the entire central government budget, the allocations for research and development (R&D) fell by 0.2 percentage points to 3.29 percent. The largest expenditure area for R&D was Education and academic research. In relative terms, the largest increase could be found within the defence-related expense and socioeconomic areas. The funds allocated for transnationally coordinated R&D also kept increasing sharply.

  • Government budget allocations for R&D 2025

    Government budget allocations for R&D are expected to amount to SEK 48.8 billion in 2025, corresponding to 3.39 percent of the total central government budget. R&D funds within the expenditure area Education and academic research increase the most as a result of the new research and innovation bill.

  • Government budget allocations for R&D 2023

    Government budget allocations for R&D amounted to SEK 44.9 billion in 2023, corresponding to 3.49 percent of the total central government budget, including final budget appropriations.